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Libra IVs

I got a +HP/-Atk Libra today, and it reminded me to talk about his IVs.

A guy mentioned his three defensive banes are superbanes...which is actually true. And I found it a bit weird to acess him at first, because he neutral stats don't point to one particular direction bar Atk (but Braves aren't all that great, and he likely has better stuff anyway).

- One of his better banes might be Spd and just focusing on bringing up his defenses as much as you can. He's still fast enough to avoid doubles from Dragons.
- I actually considered taking +HP/-Atk. My first two Libras were +Res/-Def and +Atk/-Res (my current one), and I would've taken the non-superbanes and higher HP over some Atk. While it does add up to a total of 6 Atk per hit, he still has added benefits of durability, Ploying and higher burst damage off of things like Ignis/Glacies.
-HP kind of sucks unless he's strictly dedicated as a Player Phase unit (which I find him lacking, next to actual offensive units).

He can be an offensive unit, but I don't know if it's really outstanding for what the meta is catering for. A lot of offensively-dedicated units are actually good at that as they are, meaning they don't need to rely so much on +Spd IVs (he needs it to reach 35 with +Spd).

Asked by Nogitsune4 months 2 weeks ago

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Answers

I was trying to figure out how I'd like to build him if I got him randomly (which is decently likely with the demotion), and I came to similar conclusions as you.
- HP isn't that attractive; he has a manakete-like statline that interests itself in surviving multiple hits. Losing 4 HP isn't perhaps so different from losing 3.
- If not dropping HP, my first instinct is indeed to give up his atk, as nice as it is, but there's a catch: he's not a manakete, which means he needs to contend with most melee units having decent to good def.
- His spd is in an awkward spot, kind of like Donnel's actually. Then again, if I push Nowi from 27 to 46 with merges and summoner support and buffs and everything and my A-skill doesn't even add spd...yeah Libra will definitely have it easier. Easily 46 spd at +10 with just a drive and ally support, don't even need summoner support or Marth's Falchion.
- spd or not, I don't start by thinking offensively when a unit comes with almost 30 mixed defenses right out of the pillar. I find L&D extremely awkward on him. Maybe some clever mixed phase idea could work involving swift sparrow, where he intentionally wants to be slower on enemy phase to get doubled for extra charges? Like, brave axe reaching 33-ish spd on initiation to quad slow tanks and getting doubled on 29 spd also for a luna/bonfire/iceberg using QR seal? And you can use guard in case they're using steady breath and want to ignis you? I'd be concerned about the low mt of the axe being insufficient against duelist types with 30-ish def and HP in the mid 40s.

I was somewhat tempted at the idea of a 49 HP Libra with no superbanes, but the 53 Atk before A-slot won me over. lol It's 55 with Handbell enemy phase.

It's flexible, too. +atk is helpful on any of his builds I would imagine. Important when using him as diversely as you do.

Honestly, neutral might be the way to go if you want the best on everything. Breath users that avoid doubles are especially good, since they can still pull badass 4-Turn cooldowns.

Update on my Libra:

Played with the idea of double Smokes. His Spd should be fast enough to double things he already should, and especially with at least 40 on Enemy Phase (Earth Blessing on the picture, though). Even guys under 42 Spd can potentially get doubled.

I'm considering Spd/Def 2, but I don't know if I'd kill Tana for that. Fury seems to be working.

His Atk is so high with Tactic and Enemy Phase Handbell that he legit almost put down an Ike on a cover tile with just *Moonbow*. I actually killed a Myrrh on a cover tile...